Ramblin Fan

Were you aware that Aaron Donald was contemplating a return to the Los Angeles Rams for the 2026 season? If not, you must live under a rock. Rumors ignited as soon as the team traded for reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. The lure of competing alongside another elite defender was not lost on Donald, nor on fans. Of course, finalizing a 53-man roster became that much more of a squeeze with Donald officially unretiring. This story has been gaining traction for weeks, if not months.

The Los Angeles Rams continue to shrink the 90-man summer roster to a 53-man limit, but it's not the end for many players.16 of the 37 waived players will have the chance to return to the practice squad. A practice squad spot isn't to be discounted. The Rams often recruit those players first to address mid-season injuries. Some practice-squaders are signed to the active roster; free agents then fill their vacated slots to compete for similar promotions.

The Los Angeles Rams have been teasing fans with the thought of franchise legend Aaron Donald coming out of retirement after being seduced by the allure of playing alongside Myles Garrett one year after he set the record for sacks in a season. Against all odds, that dream is now a reality. Donald, who turned 35 in May, will sign a one-year contract worth $20 million that could bloat to $30 million with incentives.

The Los Angeles Rams have a logjam at the tight end position. Not only did they return all four tight ends from last year's roster, they also drafted Max Klare in the second round. Moreover, undrafted free agent Mark Redman, back with the team for a second year, showcased impressive skills in his preseason performance. It was enough to attract trade interest from the Green Bay Packers as the roster deadline inches ever closer. Redman deserves his shot.

Fans know it's coming, but roster cutdown day inevitably tugs at the heartstrings. Teams must waive players who have played their hearts out all summer as they whittle down to a 53-man roster. For the Los Angeles Rams, there are more roster-worthy competitors than available roster slots. One such casualty is cornerback Cam Lampkin, per NFL insider Adam Schefter. Frankly, this is a surprise. Lampkin's body of summer work seemed to position him as a solid roster candidate.

The Los Angeles Rams defeated the Chargers to end the preseason with an impressive but meaningless 3-0 record. Unfortunately, preseason heroes are never guaranteed to remain with the team. And so it goes. Head coach Sean McVay made an impassioned speech to his players after the game. But even as he spoke, his anguish over the knowledge that many would not hear good news from him came through: "I gotta tell you guys, man, I'm just so proud of the way that you guys competed.

General manager Les Snead have a solid drafting track record for the Los Angeles Rams. The beauty is that he has no problem swinging and missing. Consider: barely one year after the 2025 draft, LA's rookie class that year has dwindled from six roster members to four. Unlike the previous two classes, '25 produced no Year 1 starters. As a result, the remaining group is under plenty of pressure to pan out.

The Los Angeles Rams have arrived at what may be the most difficult time of the season. With preseason games completed, it's up to the coaching staff to decide who remains on the roster, who to transfer (via the risky NFL waiver wire) to the practice squad, and who will simply have to fulfill football careers elsewhere. Los Angeles must anticipate potential suspensions for wide receiver Puka Nacua as well as left tackle Alaric Jackson due to offseason incidents.

In 2022, the Los Angeles Rams signed rookie placekicker Cameron Dicker to the training camp roster. 'Dicker the Kicker' was a unicorn of sorts, a player who could kick field goals, boot the ball from a tee, and punt. At the time, Los Angeles was very satisfied with Matt Gay. Veteran punter Riley Dixon was less secure in his role. Unfortunately, Dicker's role in college dueling as the punter and kicker meant he didn't get experience as a holder.

Looks like we made it. The Los Angeles Rams emerged from the preseason untarnished in the win-loss column, taking all three games. Of course, the preseason has no bearing on the success or failure that awaits. But fans had every right to focus closely on the depth of a team that has committed to winning now at the expense of the future. Any concerns may be overblown.